Birth complications

Most births occur without complications. But sometimes, giving birth does involve complications that can be dangerous for the health of the mother or the baby, or may even be life-threatening. One common complication involves the position of the baby just before birth. Babies usually turn in the womb prior to birth so that their head faces downwards. But in about 4 out of 100 births, this does not happen.

In these cases, doctors say the baby is in breech position. This can be dangerous, because if the baby’s legs or hips are delivered first, the birth canal may not be large enough for the head to follow. The baby could get stuck or their oxygen supply could be reduced, which can cause the baby injury or death. So doctors can perform an operation where they make a cut in the mother’s abdomen through which they lift out the baby. This is a Caesarean delivery or C-section.

A C-section can be used in other instances of birth complications too. Sometimes, a baby is born by C-section because of concerns about the baby’s heartbeat or oxygen supply. Or, it could be that the mother has an infection, such as HIV, genital herpes or genital warts, that may be passed onto the baby if the baby is born vaginally. But C-sections can also be performed for the safety of the mother, For example, if the mother has high blood pressure or her pelvis hasn’t expanded enough. Birth complications also refer to when birth happens.

Usually, delivery occurs around week 40 of pregnancy. But sometimes a baby is born before the pregnancy reaches the full term of 40 weeks. If a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, they are considered early, or premature. Premature babies’ organs may still be developing so they need special care immediately after birth. This might involve placing the baby in a special type of crib, equipped with a plastic dome and life support devices — an incubator.

The incubator creates an ideal environment that helps the baby to continue developing. While there is always some risk of birth complications, there are factors that increase risk. These include if the mother has a chronic disease or condition, such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, anaemia or different infections. Certain lifestyles can also lead to birth complications, for example, if the mother is a smoker, has used harmful drugs or consumed too much alcohol during the pregnancy. Those who are pregnant at a very young age, or those who are older than 34 are also at higher risk.

Finally, carrying more than one baby, for example, having twins or triplets, can also lead to complications. However, complications with twins or triplets can normally be avoided by Caesarean delivery. Early detection, management of possible risks, careful monitoring and a healthy lifestyle can all reduce the chance of birth complications. And because of improving medical practices and better access to healthcare, deaths relating to pregnancy and childbirth are decreasing worldwide.